Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Venturini.
Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up believing I had to earn my worth through other people’s approval. After losing my father when I was young, I spent years searching for acceptance anywhere I thought I could find it. That search eventually led me into addiction, homelessness, broken relationships, and more mistakes than I’d like to admit. Looking back, I realize I wasn’t really chasing alcohol or success—I was chasing a place where I felt like I belonged.
Everything changed on January 16, 2020, when I finally surrendered and asked for help. Recovery became about much more than getting sober. It became a journey of rebuilding my life from the inside out. I strengthened my faith, learned how to become the father my son deserved, and slowly discovered that my past didn’t have to determine my future.
Today, I own LVS Custom Paints, a company I rebuilt in honor of my late father. What began as a way to make a living has become something much bigger. We don’t just paint homes—we build trust, create opportunities for people, and try to leave every client better than we found them. That same purpose has led me to mentor others in recovery, coach youth football, and recently write my memoir, Legacy Over Approval.
The book isn’t really about addiction or business. It’s about identity. It’s about what happens when you stop living for everyone else’s approval and start becoming the person God created you to be. I spent years living the story, and when it was finally time to write it, it poured out of me in just five days.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my journey, it’s this: your lowest moment doesn’t have to become your identity. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, you can rebuild your life one decision at a time. That’s the legacy I hope to leave—not just through my business, but through the way I live and the lives I’m fortunate enough to impact.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change it. The greatest obstacles I faced happened long before I owned a business, and overcoming them gave me the perspective I rely on today. Running a company comes with its own challenges—cash flow, uncertainty, and the responsibility of leading others—but those are easier to navigate when you’ve learned resilience through life’s hardest seasons. Every obstacle has reinforced one belief: your circumstances don’t determine your future. Your response to them does.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I own LVS Custom Paints, a residential and commercial painting company serving Southern New Jersey. We specialize in high-end residential, commercial, and new construction painting, but what truly sets us apart is our commitment to communication, reliability, and treating every project like it’s our own.
I’m most proud of rebuilding the company in honor of my late father, who originally founded it. Every job is an opportunity to protect his legacy while creating one of my own.
At the end of the day, we don’t just want to leave our clients with a beautifully finished project—we want them to feel confident they chose the right company. In an industry built on trust, that’s the reputation we strive to live up to every single day.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The greatest lesson I’ve learned is that you can’t build a meaningful life while chasing other people’s approval. Real peace comes from living with purpose, integrity, and faith—not from trying to impress the world.
Once I stopped asking, “What will people think?” and started asking, “What’s the right thing to do?” everything changed. It changed how I lead my business, how I raise my children, how I serve others, and ultimately how I define success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LVSCustomPaints.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesboy_13?utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LHsmCUDjx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
